12 December 2005

Stradbally Town B 2, Tullamore Rovers 5 11/12/05

OWL League Division 5A 11/12/05

Relief for Rovers

Stradbally Town B 2, Tullamore Rovers 5.

After two consecutive losses Tullamore Rovers bounced back with a good win in Stradbally on Sunday afternoon. It was a relief for rovers who were beginning to feel pressure as losses to Portlaoise and Clara which had left them with a lot of work to do in order to keep in the promotion hunt. Nothing less than a victory would have done for manager Lar Byrne and his team and they duly obliged with a spirited performance that was lacking in the pervious games. Rovers were off to a flier after a calamitous goal within the first ten minutes after an over hit back pass was blundered by the keeper to gift Tullamore the advantage. Tullamore were doing well and using the opportunity to get forward, fullback Ronan Herffernan used every opportunity to forward and the centre backs of Ian Harvey and Deano Tyrell were keeping tight to the Stradbally forwards. Harvey pushed on the help the midfield throughout the game and Deano Tyrell was tiding up anything the got in behind with some decisive tacking in around the box. Jimmy O’Brien at left full had a solid game and made some good tackles through the opening half. The lead Tullamore had achieved was short-lived as Stradbally pulled level five minutes later through a speculative free kick which deceived the rovers defence and nestled in the corner of Dave Mentons goal. Rovers responded well and their intent to win the game was rewarded with another goal on twenty five minutes when Brian Cosgove was upended in the box after bursting through from midfield. The referee pointed to the spot and leading scorer Mick Kilmatin made no mistake with a well taken penalty beyond the reach of the Stradbally stopper. Rovers looked the more likely to score every time they got forward despite some good possession from the home team. Rovers more clinical attacks paid off once again when Pat Tyrell broke free on the right after beating the defender Tyrell sent a cross toward two incoming rovers players but before the ball could reach them the Stradbally defender stuck out a leg to deflect the ball into his own net. That put the visitors 3-1 up, but if Tullamore Rovers have an achilles heel it’s defiantly the concession of soft goals, and with five minutes to go to half time it came back to haunt them. A through ball from the Stradbally men wasn’t dealt with by the Tullamore defence and the Stadbally forward latched on the lose ball to fire home from eight yards. Stradbally were now doing well in the middle at this stage despite good work from Tullamore midfielders Phil Evans and Brain Cosgrove who were doing there best to plug any gaps. The rovers midfielders were also getting some good tackles in as well and a lot of the 50/50 were going to rovers. Derek Dolan and John Healy were playing in the wide midfield positions and the intent was to open up Stradbally on the wings as much as possible.After the break Tullamore dug in order to secure the points. Substitute Mick Daly who came on for Derek Dolan converted excellently from a Pat Tyrell cross to send Tullamore two goals clear and within five minutes the game was over after some brilliant work by Pat Tyrell on the left. Tyrell used his pace to cut inside the box before angling a great effort beyond the Stradbally keeper. Dave Sweeny was brought in for John Healy, Brendan Kenny and Sean Morris came on Jimmy O’Brien and Pat Tyrell as Tullamore held out comfortably for an important victory. Man of the Match goes to Mick Kilmartin who tormented the Stradbally defence all afternoon. Tullamore Rovers are now back to winning ways and they will be looking to round off the year with another victory next week. Should they achieve this then they will well positioned to challenge at the top. T

ullamore Rovers: Dave Menton, Ronan Heffernan, Ian Harvey, Deano Tyrell, Jimmy O’Brien Phil Evans, Brian Cosgrove, Pat Tyrell, John Healy, Derek Dolan Mick Kimartin, Pat Tyrell. Subs; Brendan Kenny (for Jimmy O’Brien), Mick Daly (for Derek Dolan), Dave Sweeny (for John Healy), Sean Morris (for Pat Tryell), Shane Bracken.Tullamore Rovers would like to thank Joe Lees Bar on Church for their support.